Expansion Important To Necbl And Foster

Amateur baseball notebook

BRISTOL — George Foster sat in the stands behind the plate at Muzzy Field Monday, taking in the New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game.

There, the league commissioner and former Cincinnati Reds outfielder autographed baseballs and discussed the importance of the NECBL.

``It's great to get this league off the ground,'' said Foster, who hit 52 home runs for the Reds in 1977. ``And to hear the appreciation from the parents that have an opportunity for their kids to play in this type of league.''

Foster said he agreed to become commissioner after being approached by Joe Consentino, the league's director of baseball operations.

``It's a dream [Consentino] has had for many years,'' Foster said. ``He asked me if I wanted to get involved as a commissioner, to get some exposure for the league. To let people know it's a serious program.''

Foster is pleased with the league's progress, but would like to see the five-team league expand.

``Five teams this year is OK, but being able to have at least eight franchises next year would be a plus,'' Foster said. ``But we don't want to rush it. We want to keep the league balanced and the quality at a high level. And we're looking at areas where there are good facilities. That's going to be key.''

Foster would also like to see the NECBL sanctioned by Major League Baseball, which would greatly defray the cost of running the league.

``Right now we aren't relying on that, we're trying to start as many fund-raisers as we can,'' Foster said. ``If we're sanctioned, it'll only be a bonus for us.''

Foster's involvement in the NECBL has been noticed by the major leagues. After the sixth inning of the All-Star game, Foster was given a letter of appreciation from Jeff White, chief financial officer for Major League Baseball.

The All-Star boost

The Bristol NightHawks are still excited about their 6-0 victory over the NECBL All-Stars.

``We've got a confident group of athletes,'' Bristol coach Bob Love said. ``About a week ago we looked flat, but lately they've been picking up the intensity and Monday, they felt they were going to win.''

There wasn't an All-Star game MVP named Monday, but chances are it would have been Ryan Fitzgerald. In his second game with Bristol, Fitzgerald went 3-for-3, with two RBI, including a double and two singles.

The NightHawks picked up Fitzgerald after losing three shortstops to injury. Fitzgerald is from South Hadley, Mass., and attends Brandeis University.

But Love was most impressed with his team's hitting, which has not been a strength. The NightHawks had nine hits despite facing several different pitchers.

``It's tough to get into the groove when you're facing a pitcher an inning,'' Love said. ``But we're starting to hit the ball really well now. Maybe our offense will pick up for the rest of the season.''

In contrast, nine Bristol pitchers held the All-Stars to two hits.

``I'm amazed at our pitching staff,'' Love said. ``They've been doing a good job all year. And Monday they stacked up favorably to the rest of the league.''

Bristol -- which won a berth in the playoffs Aug. 4-9 after winning the first half of the season -- has eight games remaining and would love to end the season on a positive note.

``I hope we can keep that level of intensity up,'' Love said, ``and have it carry over into the playoffs.''

Who'll stop the rain?

As the rain fell and lightning danced around Muzzy Field before the game, NightHawks general manager Jim Wilson hoped he wasn't watching all his pregame work go down the drain.

This late in the season, the game couldn't be postponed to another date.

``I talked to the groundskeeper and we decided unless the field was completely under water, we weren't going to call the game,'' Wilson said.

Fortunately, the steady rain never turned into a downpour and after a 90-minute delay, it finally stopped.

GHTBL loses friend

The Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League is mourning the death of Art Bullard, who was the statistician for Evans Insurance for more than six years.

Bullard, 60, died last week of cancer.

``Art meant a lot to the league,'' league president Jim Gallagher said. ``He never missed a meeting and was very dedicated to the league. The Evans Insurance team was very important to him.''

Bullard had been with Evans Insurance since the team was formed in 1988, manager Dan Rezende said.

``Art made sure the team had everything like equipment, uniforms, schedules and stats,'' Reznde said. ``He never missed a game. He was a really well-liked guy. The kids on the team really loved him. He had many friends throughout the league.''

Rezende said there will be a memorial service Saturday, at 9 a.m. at the Congregational Church on the corner of Main and High Street in south Glastonbury.

The Twilight League is also going to name an award after Bullard, Gallagher said.